Dibrugarh: The three-day Women Farmers’ Mahotsav, organised to mark the International Year of Women Farmers (IYWF-2026), concluded on February 12, 2026, at Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, alongside the 36th Annual Horticulture Show and Competition. The event, held from February 10 to 12, drew more than 500 farmers and several nurseries who displayed produce, innovations and value‑added products.
Participants showcased a wide range of entries across vegetables, fruits, flowers, spices, mushrooms, and medicinal and aromatic plants. Exhibits also included homemade value‑added goods-jams, jellies, sweets, snacks, pickles, chutneys, salads and cakes-demonstrating how farm produce is being transformed into marketable items by women entrepreneurs.
AAU vice‑chancellor Bidyut Chandan Deka underlined the Mahotsav’s role in promoting women’s economic independence and urged women to take active roles in entrepreneurship and agriculture, saying the festival aimed to foster “women’s empowerment and self‑reliance.” He added that financially independent women contribute not only to their families but also to broader national development.
Director of Research (Agriculture) Sanjay Kumar Chetia stressed the link between decision‑making autonomy and social progress, saying, “True progress of society and the nation is possible only when women can take independent decisions.” He called for strengthening women’s economic self‑sufficiency from the grassroots level.
The horticulture show served as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, where competitors demonstrated both traditional farming practices and modern techniques. Judges and visitors noted the entrepreneurial creativity on display, particularly in products that add value to raw agricultural produce and open new income streams for rural households.
Organisers and participants described the Mahotsav as a significant step toward recognising women farmers-who make up a substantial portion of India’s agricultural workforce but frequently remain under‑acknowledged. By combining exhibition, competition and capacity building, the event aimed to boost livelihoods, encourage innovation and raise the visibility of women’s contributions to the rural economy.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/women-farmers-showcase-expertise-at-aau-jorhat-event/articleshow/128258673.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-02-12 18:40:00
